VIDEO: Learning how to let go of the past 😌

Have you ever caught yourself replaying a memory or situation over and over, even though it's long gone? That feeling of being stuck in the past can be heavy, especially when it means feeling all those same emotions over and over again.

Today I want to talk about why learning to let things go can lighten your emotional load and actually be one of the kindest things you can do for yourself. So let's talk about learning to let things go. Hi I'm Jeremy Godwin, I'm a mental health counsellor and I teach you simple ways to improve your mental health. Because looking after your wellbeing is essential.

Today's topic is one I think we can all relate to, because letting go is something that most of us struggle with at times. Letting go isn't about ignoring what happened, it's about choosing to focus on the here and now instead of being weighed down by the past. So let's talk about why letting go matters and how it can help you move forward, plus how to actually do it. The first thing you need to know is that holding onto old emotional baggage weighs you down.

Carrying around your old emotions feels exhausting. Every time you choose to hold onto a past hurt or regret, it's like you're adding weight to some sort of emotional backpack. You drag it around with you all the time, and it often pops up again and again demanding your attention, and making you feel all the crap feelings all over again.

Imagine that each grudge or painful memory is like a rock in your emotional backpack. The longer you carry them, the heavier they get. Eventually, it weighs you down so much that it's tough to move forward or even enjoy today. Think about a time when a disagreement stuck with you for days or even weeks.

That emotional weight distracts you from enjoying other moments. Letting go helps you feel lighter and allows more room for things that genuinely make you happy. To start letting go, try writing down something you're ready to release. Write it in detail, then symbolically let it go by crumpling up the paper, tearing it, or even throwing it away.

This simple act can feel incredibly freeing, and it reminds you that you don't need to choose to carry it any longer. The next thing to remember is that the past has passed and cannot be changed, only learned from. Let's be real. None of us can change what's happened, no matter how much we wish we could. The past is like a closed book. It's there to learn from, not to be rewritten.

What's done is done, and what is, is what is. Focusing on what you could have or should have done differently only keeps you trapped in the past. Instead, you can choose to ask, what did this experience teach me, and how can I use that knowledge moving forward?

One helpful practice is to look at a challenging past experience and write down one positive thing you learned from it. Maybe it taught you resilience, helped you see the value of honesty or pushed you to be more self-compassionate.

I mean, even if the only thing you took away from it is the knowledge of what you don't want in the future, then it's still a positive. This is a simple activity that can guide you in the future, helping you to move forward instead of staying stuck in anger or regret.

The next thing to remember is that letting go is about freeing yourself so you can move forward. Letting go isn't about dismissing your feelings or pretending things didn't happen. It's about recognising that you deserve the freedom to move forward and live in the present. Really, letting go is a gift to yourself. When you let go, you're reclaiming control over your life.

You're saying, I won't let this past event control me or hold me back anymore. It's a powerful choice that creates space for new experiences, growth and healing. One way to start is by creating a letting go ritual for yourself. It could be as simple as lighting a candle and as it burns, taking a few deep breaths and mentally releasing whatever's been weighing you down.

Visualizing that weight lifting off you can remind you that you're free to focus on what truly matters. You might also find it helpful to talk with a trusted friend or loved one or with a professional like a counsellor or therapist who can provide you with objective insights and advice.

Here's the thing, letting go is something you do for yourself. It's about releasing the weight of old baggage, understanding that the past is unchangeable, but it can and should teach us, and giving yourself the freedom to focus on today.

So, what's one thing you're ready to let go of? Share it in the comments, and if you have any tips that have helped you let go in the past, I'd love to hear them. Check out the weekly Let's Talk About Mental Health podcast for more mental health tips, and if you liked this episode, then give it a thumbs up and subscribe or follow for more. And if you're struggling with resentment and anger, then watch this video next for more tips. It's linked in the episode description.

Remember, if it no longer serves you, then you need to let it go. So, let it go. Take care and talk to you next time!